Cattle market future looks promising
(Conttnusd from Pact 1]
cash levels to make it
profitable/* he stated.
The economist explained
that many changes are in
evidence for the industry
with the greatest emphasis
now being placed on the
"adolescent beef" which
experiences no grading.
Consumer buying will also
be a factor, as last year 42
M/memeimß'
percent of the beef pur
chased was in the form of
Hamburg or processed meat.
"No one is sure if the con
sumer will be willing to pay
more this year,” he stated.
"If the hamburg supply
drops there is likely to be a
price increase and who
knows if the consumer’s
confidence will stay with
beef.”
Also the new grading
JAMES LEFEVER, ri, oxford, pa
JIM'S SURGE SALES & SERVICE
BUS. PHONE (717) 786-1533
system for beef, which will
go into effect after Feb. 23, is
likely to have some effect on
the industry.
Moore explained that the
outlook surveys would be
easier to pinpoint flf
economists knew how long
fanners would be bolding
their grain and how much
Russia would buy.
“The grain situation is a
guessing game,” he noted,
“which makes the outlook
somewhat more difficult.”
The rate of inflation (usually
(Continued from Page 1]
vinced that direct markets
are doing a better job,”
McCoy stated. “After the big
defaults by packing outfits
last year, people are more
interested in taking their
livestock through com
mission firms, this has
helped marketing.”
McCoy also noted that the
high sell off of cows by
culling had been widespread
last year adding to the
numbers coming to the
auction. “It just wasn’t
profitable last year to keep a
cow that wasn’t producing
good,” he explained, “a lot of
culling took place and sent
numbers to the stockyards.”
The cattle situation of the
bicentennial year may seem
difficulties however, ac
cording to the stockyards
president. “With an election
year upcoming, the cattle
NEW
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S. CHURCH ST., P.O. BOX 37 QUARRYVILLE, PA Loc. Next to Post Office
Lancaster
SURGE
COVERING SOUTHERN LANCASTER COUNTY AND SOUTH EASTERN YORK COUNTY AREAS.
SALES & INSTALLATION
Milking parlors
Pipelines
Bulk tanks
All the equipment and supplies
needed to satisfy the modern daily farmer.
unpredictable) also has an
effect on the market
situation.
While many variables are
still lurking on the horizan,
the cattle industry, on an
overall view, looks
promising but without the
large profits realized by
some feeders last year.
According to the Penn State
economist, the bicentennial
year may not be as favorable
for cattle feeders but an
improvement is in sight for
the cow-calf operators.
situation may not be too
good.”
“The consumers keep
looking at the price of food
and if it doesn’t come down,
they look toward the
candidates and government
to reduce prices” McCoy
stated. The auction official
explained that history
substantiated the point that
election years were never
good for cattlejiumbers.
McCoy 'explained that
producers must remain
current in their offerings if
the price is to stay relatively
good. If the producers
become “bullheaded” and
hold their cattle it is going to
hurt the market and prices.
While there are many
variables still to be con
sidered including imports
and grain prices, the cattle
market for the coming year
may very well see a
narrowing of prices which
stays close to the $4O per
hundredweight mark.
DEALER
Home Phone (717) 529-2618
Lancaster Farming, Saturday. Jan. 31,1976
Dr. Les Burdette and Lou Moore, extension
specialists from Penn State, look over a program from
the annual Cattle Feeder's Day held in Lancaster.
Both served as speakers for the event.
Area tobacco
1 Continued from Page 1]
what was received by most
growers last year.
Farmers who have sorted
their tobacco are likely to do
a little better in prices than
those who are offering the
crop with good and bad
leaved mixed, Mann said.
The reason for wanting the
tobacco separated is because
the better quality variety is
useful, while the lower
quality leaves aren’t con
sidered to have much value.
Although the Mann
MEET YOUR SURGE ROUTE SALESMAN
spokesman considered the
crop to be not quite as good
as last year’s, some other
company officials will go
further than that and say the
quality just isn’t there. A less
than ideal growing season,
unfavorable cutting con
ditions on some farms and
delayed schedules in
stripping all contributed to
the lack in quality.
Over-all, however, if any
guess can be made - farmers
may expect a price within
the 56 to 58 cent range,
reports indicate.
JIM CARPENTER
(717) 464-2361
13